PE2 head convenes 4th APEIA Meeting in Singapore

SINGAPORE, 31 October 2019 – Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) president Alexander Ablaza, in his capacity as co-chair of the Asia-Pacific ESCO Industry Alliance (APEIA) convened earlier today the Fourth APEIA Meeting in the offices of host organization, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS). Represented during the meeting were the China Energy Conservation Association (EMCA), India’s Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), the Japan Association of Energy Service Companies (JAESCO), the Malaysia Association of Energy Service Companies (MAESCO), the Philippines’ PE2, Singapore’s SEAS and the Taiwan Energy Service Association (TESA). The Korea Association of ESCO (KAESCO) is among the founding members of APEIA, but was unable to send a representative to this meeting. The Thai ESCO Association participated as an observer.

All participating ESCO associations reviewed the Joint Statement signed during the 3rd APEIA Meeting in Manila on 17 June 2019. The Joint Statement recognizes the need to create a regional ESCO industry platform, which will promote ESCO industries, encourage knowledge-sharing of ESCO industry players, and boost network for finding potential investors, funding, and technology providers.

During its fourth meeting held earlier today, the regional body discussed detailed plans and proposed budgets to support the establishment of a legal entity, which would allow the regional body to enter into agreements and mobilize development resources toward capacity building activities in target ESCO markets in Asia. After an exchange of varying opinions from participants,  Ablaza said, “APEIA was very close to taking a committed step toward acquiring legal status in a preferred jurisdiction. For this to succeed, I remain hopeful that all participating country associations would unanimously approve such step in the next APEIA meeting.”

Ablaza likewise reported during the meeting that APEIA co-signed immediately after the 3rd APEIA Meeting the Inauguration Statement establishing the Global ESCO Network.

The body also welcomed the early interest of the Thai ESCO Association to possibly become the ninth country ESCO organization to join APEIA.

SEAS hosted the 4th APEIA Meeting on the sidelines of the SEAS-co-organized Asia Clean Energy Summit 2019, a 3-day event which was opened on 30 October in the Sand Expo and Convention Centre.